Biography Interview
Stephan Dybus is a German Visual Artist and illustrator living and working in Berlin.
Stephans work transcends traditional boundaries, blending the realms of acrylic painting, watercolor, plasticine sculpting and comtemporary 3d art.
He paints and models his figurative humorous world in earthy soft tones, subtle pastels and vibrant highlights.
Through his simplified, easily recognisable characters, he flips the narrative of self image and self optimization in our present day existence.
Seemingly light and happy on the surface with a hint of existential suffering below.
His works have been frequently published in various publications and exhibitions worldwide.
Selected clients
New York Times, New York Times Magazine, Zeit Campus, Pull & Bear, Hohe Luft Magazin, The Baffler, Süddeutsche Zeitung Magazin, Zeit Magazin, Zeit Magazin Mann, brandeins, Süddeutsche Zeitung Kinderseiten, SZ Familie Magazin, Saiten Kulturmagazin, Page Magazin, Business Punk Magazin, Kapsel Magazin, Schlappvogel Records/Euphorie , Beatbude Records
Read moreCareer Milestones
Title Illustration for the NY TIMES Art Section in 2023 Solo exhibtions at Weserhalle, Berlin
Read moreStephan Dybus in the Spotlight
Stephan Dybus
Illustrating the future
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Your pronouns
He/Him
Where is home?
Berlin, Germany
Describe your style of illustration in one sentence
My style is defined by how i can put my simplified characters in various fun and fantastic situations and keep it all apealling and simple so the viewer gets drawn into looking at the work.
What lights your soul on fire?
The excitment of a good idea that just came up while walking outside, somebody smiling at me for no reason, spring and randomly exploring the city with friends.
What themes do you enjoy exploring?
Self observation, psychology, behaviour, politics, pop culture
What techniques do you use?
3D modelling, sculpting and animating and painting with acrylic or digitally on my ipad.
How much of yourself and your own story can we see in your work?
A lot Actually, I try do draw from my own life experience and mix it all up with pop culture. The way my characters move is supposed to be a fun visual reflection of my own insecurities for example.
Is there an unmistakable thread in your creative work?
I like to keeps things subtle and balanced. No agressiveness just happiness and some dark humor below the surface.
Which projects excite you most?
Doing whole Music videos and everything where I am free to let my humor into the work.
What is your dream gig?
Making my characters jiggle around in an apple ad.
Where, when and how do you best create?
In the morning at a clean and well prepared desk. With a coffee in my hand and rain outside, so I dont feel like missing out on anything.
How has your style evolved since you started?
Starting with 3d after years of only working in a paintery style changed my style immensly. 3D then in return influenced my painting and drawing style.
What do you find most challenging in your practice or in the illustration industry?
24 hours from the request for an editorial illustration to the deadline for delivering the work. And all that an animated loop in 3d.
Name a tool you can’t live without!
Pencil sharpener
Tell us about a project you worked on that was meaningful to you as an artist.
I illustrated an encyclopedic article for Zeit Magazin on banned keywords on the chinese Internet. A huge poltical piece with a lot of impact and meaning.
What influences or inspires your art?
Meme culture, miniature worlds, traditional landscape paintings, and pop culture in general.
What would you tell your younger self?
Don’t worry, Everything will get better